Help needed with 4th of July expenses

May 25, 2004|BY RYAN BENTLEY NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER

Freedom may be one thing celebrated during Petoskey's July 4 festivities each year, but the events do not come without financial expense.

Hence, the Stars and Stripes Committee that coordinates the local Independence Day activities started fund-raising for this year's program earlier this spring. The committee still needs to secure about $11,000 to cover the estimated $20,000 in celebration expenses.

Tim Burger, an H & D Inc. employee who is in his first year as Stars and Stripes chairman, noted a need for Americans to celebrate freedom.

"This is especially important at a time when we have American troops fighting today on foreign soil," he said.

This year's July 4 festivities will begin with a downtown parade at 6 p.m. With the Rotary International service organization celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, representatives from local service clubs will serve as grand marshals.

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Burger said plans are in the works to revive a "baby parade," which proved popular in Petoskey about 100 years ago. The July 4 march will have openings for parents with infants and toddlers in decorated strollers.

"We'd like to bring that back and make it an annual tradition," he added.

Familiar parade features, like public office-seekers, bands and community groups, will return this year.

At 7 p.m., the celebration will shift to the city's waterfront. There, local classic rock band The Relics - and possibly other musicians - will offer a free performance.

Glow necklaces will be on sale as part of Stars and Stripes' fund-raising during the waterfront activities.

While the parade and musical entertainment present some expenses for the Stars and Stripes Committee, the fireworks planned for dusk at the waterfront will prove pricier.

The committee plans a pyrotechnic display on a scale similar to 2003's, which was the largest in at least a few years. Melrose Pyrotechnics of Indiana will handle the fireworks launch.

This year's first donation for the festivities came from Victories Casino and Hotel, which contributed $5,000. The committee also has about $4,000 in funds left over from the prior year.

Planning for this year's festivities began in April. This will be the fourth year in which Stars and Stripes organizes the events.

"Stars and Stripes isn't affiliated with anyone," Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce executive director and committee member Carlin Smith said. "We're just a group of community volunteers."

Joining Burger and Smith on the committee are Alison Adams of the Little Traverse Conservancy, Al Hansen of the Petoskey Department of Parks and Recreation, Andy Low of Bank One, Jennifer Shorter-Smith of Grandpa Shorter's Gifts and Sue Antoine of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses and individuals interested in helping financially support Petoskey's July 4 activities can send contributions in care of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, 401 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey, Mich. 49770. Checks should be made payable to Stars and Stripes Committee. For more information on July 4 activities, call the chamber at 347-4150.

Registration forms for this year's July 4 parade are now available. To request one, contact the chamber office.